VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – The Vernon County Board of Supervisors is proud to announce updates to county-wide community and economic development. The Community Development Department was reinvigorated with a focus of collaborating with local communities and businesses to identify resources and strategies that will boost economic opportunity, build resilient neighborhoods, and ensure the county is well positioned to thrive.
The County Board of Supervisors approved $100,000 in ARPA funds to renew the Economic Development Strategy (2024-2029), design and distribute the first Vernon County Visitor Guide, and redesign the county website (the website project is in progress with an anticipated completion date of January 2025).
A significant change to the Community Development Department was hiring a full-time Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator, a position previously contracted since 2018. Larkin Breckel was selected for this role and started with the County on April 29th, 2024. Her primary responsibilities are to support local business expansion and retention, attract and support new business startups and entrepreneurship, support workforce development and training, and promote the County as an ideal place to live, work, and play. In her first year, she will focus on business outreach to build awareness about her role and learn how she can best support their needs and aspirations.
Larkin grew up in Vernon County and received her bachelor’s degree in communications from UW-LaCrosse. She spent the past three years working in economic development, marketing, and
communications at the Viroqua Chamber, and prior to that served as the Outreach and Marketing
Director at B&E’s Trees. Larkin has loved the chance to experience the ins and outs of small business and entrepreneurship in Vernon County, as well as the opportunity to work with so many of the local businesses in and around Viroqua.
“I am so honored to be able to serve the people and communities of Vernon County. I am eager to work with local organizations, businesses, and leaders who are invested in the vitality and resilience of Vernon County and to be able to connect people and resources countywide.” says Larkin Breckel
Larkin will be part of the Community Development Department, which is supervised by Amy Oliver, Community Development Director. Amy has been with the County since 2021 and will provide leadership to the department, to larger grant projects that impact multiple county departments and communities, and to county-wide housing, childcare, and broadband initiatives.
“The commitment the Economic Development Committee and the Board of Supervisors have
demonstrated to economic development over the past year has been exceptional. We now have the tools and leadership in place to proactively support businesses and communities. Larkin is an asset to our team, and we are confident in her ability to launch programs and initiatives that will better support our business community.” says Amy Oliver.
“The commitment the Economic Development Committee and the Board of Supervisors have
demonstrated to economic development over the past year has been exceptional. We now have the tools and leadership in place to proactively support businesses and communities. Larkin is an asset to our team, and we are confident in her ability to launch programs and initiatives that will better support our business community.” says Amy Oliver.
For questions related to the Community Development Department, please contact Community
Development Director, Amy Oliver at (608) 637-5379 or amy.oliver@vernoncounty.org
To view the Economic Development Strategy, visit:
https://www.vernoncounty.org/government/plans_and_strategies/index.php
To view the Vernon County Visitor Guide, visit:
https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=vernon_county_with_links&u=adlit
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